UNILAG Gets New Vice Chancellor

Lagos Jan 29, (THEWILL) - Professor Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, 60, of the Department of Computer Science was on Friday appointed the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos by the governing council of the academic institution.

His appointment takes effect on Saturday, January 30, 2010, which is the date the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Tolu Odugbemi, 65, retires according to the terms of his contract.

Speaking with newsmen at the end of the council meeting in Lagos, the pro chancellor of the university, Gamaliel Onosode said, "Council subject to the provision of the relevant law has approved that Prof. Sofoluwe should take over tomorrow as the new Vice-Chancellor as Prof. Tolu Odugbemi clocks 65 years tomorrow." Adding that Prof. Odugbemi "has no reservation and he has graciously and honourably bowed out."

Speaking further in light of the academic union’s agreement with the government, Onosode said, "The agreement that the federal government reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities was to procure the amendment of the law that will allow professors to retire from service when they reach 70 years, noting that, "Until the law has been amended you must retire at 65 years."

Professor Sofoluwe began his teaching career as a Graduate Assistant at the school in 1976 and rose to become a Professor of Computer Science in October 1996. He was Head of the Department of Computer Science between 1989-1991, and 1994-1996, and became Dean of the Faculty of Science between 1998-2002. He became a member of the Governing Council of the University from 2000.

Born on April 15, 1950, he attended the University of Lagos where he graduated in 1973 with a Second Class Upper Division honours in Special Mathematics.